Australian Open

17 Jan

Australian Open: Nick Kyrgios Withdraws From Home Grand Slam

wontumionlineSportsAustralian Open, Nick Kyrgios

Home favourite Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open with a knee injury the day before he was scheduled to play his opening match. The Wimbledon runner-up, 27, said he was “devastated” he could not play in Melbourne. Kyrgios, seeded 19th, was set to play Russia’s Roman Safiullin on Tuesday. “It’s obviously been pretty brutal before [one] of the most important tournaments of my career,” Kyrgios said. “It hasn’t been easy at all.” Considered among the favourites to win the title, Kyrgios “didn’t pull up great” from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic on Friday, according to his physio Will…

17 Jan

Australian Open: Jack Draper Loses To Rafael Nadal At Melbourne Park

wontumionlineSportsAustralian Open, Jack Draper, Rafael Nadal

British rising star Jack Draper tested Spain’s Rafael Nadal before physical issues cost him in a four-set loss in the Australian Open first round. Draper, 21, levelled at one-set each, leading to 22-time major champion Nadal, 36, having a frank discussion with his team before the third set. Top seed Nadal led 4-1 but was still unconvincing as Draper broke back before the Briton lost serve at 5-4. Draper struggled to move in the fourth as Nadal secured a 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1 win. Britain’s Kyle Edmund was also knocked out on the opening day at Melbourne Park with a…